The editor of a Yorkshire weekly newspaper, who has published a front-page story about his staff taking part in strike action, has revealed he is only paid £25,000 a year - in a bid to highlight the “scandal” of low wages in the newspaper industry.

Journalists at the South Yorkshire Times and Johnston-Press owned sister titles went on indefinite strike action on Friday in a dispute over job cuts.

HoldTheFrontPage reports that South Yorkshire Times editor, Jim Oldfield, whose own job is threatened, once again published the strike story on the newspaper’s front page, have done so only two weeks ago.

And speaking at an NUJ meeting, the former national newspaper journalist revealed that he is paid just £25,500 despite having served 37 years in the industry.

Oldfield reportedly told the union meeting: “How can we continue to attract and keep the people we need to get the news stories that keep this country free? It’s a scandal.”

As well as revealing his own salary, he also said trainee journalists at South Yorkshire Newspapers were on £14,000; page designers £15,000; senior reporters £18,000; and assistant editors £24,000.

The NUJ has voted unanimously for strike action after the company announced plans to make 18 jobs redundancy across its South Yorkshire Newspapers division.

Should the plans proceed, Graeme Huston, editor-in-chief of South Yorkshire Newspapers will also oversee the South Yorkshire Times.

Johnston Press is yet to comment.